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Cutting back on driving is not the only way to manage your fuel expenses. Instead, you can start adopting more fuel-efficient driving habits and performing regular vehicle maintenance to keep your fuel consumption under control.

There are many easy ways to save on fuel, ranging from keeping your engine in optimal condition to using the fuel as recommended by the manufacturer.

Let’s take a look at the information in this article to discover various tips you can use to make your fuel consumption more efficient!

How to Save Fuel

Efficient fuel use not only helps save money but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.

According to the Asian Transport Observatory, Indonesia’s transportation sector produced approximately 154.4 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, or about 12% of total national emissions, with land transportation being the largest contributor.

Even so, you do not need to make major changes to start saving on fuel. There are various simple habits you can adopt in your daily driving.

So, how can we save fuel? Check out the following tips that you can put into practice right away!

Get Your Vehicle Serviced Regularly

Regular maintenance is a common way to save fuel that is often overlooked. In fact, a well-maintained engine ensures more optimal fuel combustion, leading to more efficient fuel consumption.

Additionally, regular maintenance helps ensure that key components, such as engine oil, air filters, and spark plugs, continue to function properly. This helps maintain your vehicle’s performance and improves fuel efficiency.

Use Fuel with the Correct Octane Rating

Every vehicle has a recommended fuel octane rating specified by the manufacturer. This is because each engine has a different compression ratio, requiring the appropriate octane rating for optimal combustion.

Simply put, octane or Research Octane Number (RON) is a measure of a fuel’s ability to resist premature combustion (knocking) caused by high pressure inside the combustion chamber.

The higher the octane rating, the greater the fuel’s ability to remain stable until the spark plug ignites it at the intended time.

When the octane rating matches the engine’s requirements, the air-fuel mixture will ignite at the right time. Optimal combustion ensures maximum power delivery, more responsive acceleration, and more efficient fuel consumption.

In Indonesia, some of the most commonly used fuel grades include RON 90, RON 92, RON 95, and RON 98, each intended for different engine needs.

Use the AC Wisely

Air conditioning certainly makes a trip more comfortable, especially in hot weather. However, using the AC at an inappropriate setting can increase the engine’s workload, leading to higher fuel consumption.

To save fuel, set the AC temperature to a comfortable level and avoid selecting the lowest cooling setting immediately unless necessary. You can also use the cabin air recirculation mode to cool the interior more quickly and efficiently.

Additionally, make sure to clean the AC filter regularly. A clean filter helps the cooling system operate more efficiently without overburdening the engine.

Reduce Engine Idling Time During Long Stops

Leaving the engine running while the vehicle is stopped for an extended period can cause fuel to be consumed even though the car is not moving.

If you expect to be stopped for several minutes, it is best to turn off the engine first. This simple habit can help reduce fuel consumption while avoiding unnecessary fuel use.

Maintain Proper Tire Pressure

Proper tire pressure is one of the key factors in maintaining fuel efficiency. Tires inflated to the ideal pressure have lower rolling resistance, allowing the vehicle to move more effortlessly and reducing the strain on the engine to maintain speed.

To keep your vehicle fuel-efficient, check your tire pressure at least once a month or before taking a long trip. Check the pressure when the tires are still cold for the most accurate reading.

Avoid Sudden Acceleration and Braking

Your driving style also affects how much fuel your vehicle uses. The habit of suddenly pressing the gas pedal causes the engine to require more fuel to generate power in a short amount of time.

Similarly, frequent sudden braking wastes energy already spent accelerating, forcing the vehicle to expend more energy to regain speed.

Therefore, whenever possible, drive at a steady speed and maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. That way, you will have enough time to gradually reduce your speed without having to brake suddenly too often.

Reduce Unnecessary Vehicle Load

The heavier the load a vehicle carries, the more power the engine needs to move. This causes fuel consumption to increase because the engine has to work harder.

Therefore, it is a good idea to double-check the items stored in the trunk or cabin. If there are items you no longer need for your daily commute, remove them to lighten the vehicle’s weight. This simple step is often overlooked, even though it significantly impacts fuel efficiency.

Causes of Excessive Fuel Consumption

In many cases, excessive fuel consumption is influenced by driving habits, the vehicle’s condition, and even the choice of fuel. Here are some common causes of excessive fuel consumption you should be aware of:

Low tire pressure: Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, causing the engine to consume more fuel.
Clogged air filter: Restricted airflow prevents optimal combustion, resulting in increased fuel consumption.
Aggressive driving style: Sudden acceleration and braking cause the engine to consume more fuel.
Dirty engine oil or oil that has not been changed on time: Oil that has deteriorated in quality does not lubricate engine components as effectively. As a result, friction between components increases, causing the engine to work harder and leading to higher fuel consumption.
Using fuel with the wrong octane rating: Using fuel that does not meet the manufacturer’s recommendations can make combustion in the engine less efficient. As a result, power output decreases, potentially leading to higher fuel consumption.

Those are ways to save fuel that you can start implementing right away. In addition to following the tips above to conserve energy, you can also consider using public transportation or switching to alternative fuels as needed to reduce carbon emissions.

When done consistently, these simple steps help improve environmental quality by reducing emissions from the transportation sector.

Every small step becomes more meaningful when taken together. That is what we do at Indonesia Asri. Here, we can all participate in various environmental conservation programs presented in fun activities, such as #AksiAsri.

Through #AksiAsri, you can get involved in real actions to preserve the environment. Not only that, but you can also share inspiring stories about protecting the Earth on Jejak Asri. Submit your best story by October 16, 2026. Get the chance to win prizes worth up to millions of rupiah if your story is selected as a winner.

Let’s take your first step toward a better future with Indonesia Asri! Register now and become part of a movement that makes a positive impact on the environment!

Here Are 7 Simple Habits on How to Save Fuel, Check It Out!